I have seen kids afraid.
Afraid of me.
Afraid of one another.
Afraid to think.
Afraid to wonder.
Afraid to be uncomfortable.
Afraid to invest themselves.
Afraid to take a chance.
Afraid to get it wrong.
Afraid to get it right.
Afraid to miss out.
Afraid to join in.
Afraid to love.
Afraid to be loved.

And I wonder by what stroke
Of ill fortune did they become like that—
Or have they not yet grown out of it,
Of this is that sort of thing—

For surely, I have also seen kids not afraid.
And they are a glorious lot, enjoying life.
And what makes these kids not like those?